ASSESSMENT THE KALMYK CATTLE BREED GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE KALMYKIA REPUBLIC BASED ON GENOME-WIDE ANALYSIS

Abstract

In the article results of the biodiversity evaluation of the indigenous breed resources of cattle of the Republic of Kalmykia by whole-genome genotyping are presented. The objects of research were samples of biomaterial obtained from two herds of Kalmyk cattle raised in the Republic of Kalmykia (n = 20). Other samples for population-genetic studies were taken from L.K. Ernst FRC (Podolsk, Russia). Modern molecular-genetics and bioinformatics methods were used in this research. As a result, DNA was isolated and comparative study was carried out. The obtained DNA samples are suitable for carrying out whole-genome SNP studies using Bovine SNP HD BeadChip according to their qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The concentration of double–stranded DNA in the studied samples varied up 16 to 80 ng/µl, the ratio of OD260/OD280 varied up 1.77 to 2.12. The efficiency of genotyping (call rate) varied up 99.72 to 99.84%. The novelty of this research is the genetic diversity of two populations of Kalmyk cattle raised in the Republic of Kalmykia was established at the first time using high-density DNA chips and population-genetic estimation was also carried out for comparison with three breeds of Turano-Mongolian origin. Kalmyk breed have shown the highest level of genetic diversity compared to other breeds of Turano-Mongolian origin. This fact may be a consequence of the use of free mating in the breeding , as well as a relatively high number of Kalmyk cattle compared to other breeds. The minimum level of genetic diversity established in the Yakut breed is a consequence of the small number of livestock. The results obtained will be useful in the development of breeding and conservation programs of the Kalmyk cattle.